Diamond Bank PLC, a
leading retail bank in Nigeria has ignited a huge wave of enthusiasm among
school children who now see a rewarding career and a future in art and literary
studies after winners of outstanding paintings and literary works were
celebrated and rewarded with gifts and cash prizes at the just concluded ‘Vision
of the Child’ (VOTC) competition.
Most of the school
children who won prizes and those aspiring to come tops in the next edition say
that they would love to pursue a career in art and literary studies because of
the enormous opportunities it holds for them.
The Vision of the
Child is an artistic and literary competition for school children and forms
part of activities to celebrate the Lagos Black Heritage Festival.
According to Ayona
Trimnell, Head, Corporate Communications, Diamond Bank has supported the
competition since inception in 2011.
“We are proud to be a
part of these future art and literary geniuses whose paintings and literary
works transcend their age and time. As part of our strategic focus, we see a
lot of potential in these youth and will continue to support the growth and
development of these young minds.”
Ashaka Victory Thona
who emerged the first prize winner went home with N250, 000 while Ololade
Shittu who came second was rewarded with N200,000. Anthony Blessing who came
third was given N180, 000. Anjola Olanrewaju, Amosun Abraham and
Okwuchukwu Ivy who were adjudged fourth, fifth and sixth place winners
won N150,000, N120,000 and N100,000 respectively.
Benson Oraelosi,
Regional Manager, Ikeja Region of the Bank, stated that the bank's involvement
in the competition was driven by its commitment to support the development of
the country's future leaders.
“Diamond Bank is
wholly committed to supporting initiatives aimed at grooming the Nigerian child
for global relevance. Since the inception of this competition, the children
have always been challenged to engage their creativity in interpreting topical
social issues, and the results have been very insightful. We are particularly
pleased at the outcomes of these competitions because it is only through
creativity that we can develop ideas to change the world."
Speaking further,
Benson noted that Diamond Bank understand the value of helping these children
to attain their individual desires in art and literary works.
"Diamond Bank has
further demonstrated its commitment to the future of the Nigerian child with
Diamond Future, a children-friendly proposition designed to secure their
educational ambitions. We are assured that the future of the country is indeed
brighter with the level of creativity the children have showcased”.
Erelu Dosunmu Abiola,
who represented Prof. Wole Soyinka, the Lagos Black Heritage Festival
consultant, noted that many children are denied the opportunity to express
themselves because society assumes that they do not understand social events.
“We do not need to
limit the horizon of our children as they have their own unique interpretations
to issues that adults may consider to be socially complex. Our contestants have
shown that they have great thoughts demonstrated through impressive output. We
hope to see great writers like Prof Wole Soyinka and celebrated painters like
Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya emerge from platforms such as these," Erelu
stated.
At this fourth
competition of the Vision of the Child competition, over 30 finalists
participated in this 2015 edition themed "The Road to Sambisa."
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